Insurance Specialist: Job Description and Education Requirements
Insurance specialists are experts in interpreting insurance policies and determining coverage. With specialized training in billing and coding, they may work in medical and government offices, hospitals and laboratories.
Insurance Specialist Job Description
Insurance specialists are trained to decipher complicated insurance laws and policies. In a government capacity, insurance specialists may be responsible for ensuring that government programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, comply with federal law, regulations and contracts. Specialists may advise on issues related to eligibility and coverage, as well as monitor the compliance of government contractors.
Many insurance specialists are also employed in the health care industry. As such, they may deal with health insurance billing and payments including interpreting billing codes and processing claims. Specialists may also be expected to keep track of patient records and perform other functions integral to the running of a medical office.
Insurance Specialist Education Requirements
While many of the skills necessary to the profession may be learned on the job, prospective insurance specialists may want to consider specialized training in the field. In the health care arena, schools offer certificate and associate degree programs for medical or health insurance specialists. These programs offer courses in medical coding, medical terminology and health care law. Graduates may be qualified to earn Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Certification, which shows a greater understanding of the federal statute, which governs privacy of patient medical information.
Certification
For those seeking additional credentials, there are certification programs available to highlight specific skills. For health insurance specialists, the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) and the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) offer various certifications. The NCCT offers the Insurance and Coding Specialist certification (www.ncctinc.com). The certification exam for an NCCT credential tests knowledge of medical coding, procedures and terminology. The AAPC offers certifications that reveal expertise in medical coding such as the Certified Professional Coder and the Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Coder (www.aapc.com).
Related to Insurance Specialist: Job Description and Education Requirements
- Related
- Recently Updated
- Popular
Insurance Appraiser: Career Profile
Insurance appraisers assist in insurance claims situations when damage has occurred. They work with professionals in...
How to Become an Insurance Inspector
Find out how to become an insurance inspector. Research the education requirements and learn about the experience you...
Online Bachelor of Business Programs for Aspiring Insurance Professionals
Students who want to pursue a career in insurance can reach their goals by completing a Bachelor of Business...
Insurance Agent Career Overview
Insurance agents sell insurance policies, and they may also offer financial planning services. In order to work, they...
List of Free Online Insurance Courses and Classes
- Health Insurance License and Credential Information
- Online Insurance Certification and Certificate Information
- Online Degree Programs Related to Insurance: Program Overviews
- Top Psychology Master's Degree Programs - San Francisco, CA
- Top Computer Engineering Degree Program - Long Beach, CA
- Top Medical Assisting School - Cincinnati, OH
- Top Ranked Graphic Design School - San Jose, CA
31 Popular Schools
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Master
-
Bachelor
-
- BS in Business Administration - Risk Management
- BS in Business Administration - Risk Management & Insurance
- BS in Business Administration - Financial Analysis
-
- BS in Business Administration
- BS in Business Administration - Wealth Management
-
- Associate
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Doctorate
-
Master
-
- MBA - Risk Management
- Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) - General Program
-
- Bachelor
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Colorado (3 campuses)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
- Master
-
Bachelor
-
- BS in Business Administration
-
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Arizona (3 campuses)
- California (16)
- Colorado (3)
- Florida (6)
- Georgia (4)
- Illinois (8)
- Indiana (2)
- Kentucky (1)
- Maryland (1)
- Michigan (1)
- Minnesota (1)
- Missouri (2)
- North Carolina (2)
- New Jersey (3)
- Nevada (1)
- New York (2)
- Ohio (4)
- Oklahoma (1)
- Oregon (1)
- Pennsylvania (5)
- Tennessee (2)
- Texas (7)
- Utah (1)
- Virginia (3)
- Washington (3)
- Wisconsin (2)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
- Master
- Bachelor
-
Non-Degree
-
- Certificate - Business Administration
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Alabama (2 campuses)
- Arkansas (1)
- Columbia (D.C.) (1)
- Delaware (1)
- Florida (9)
- Georgia (8)
- Illinois (4)
- Indiana (1)
- Kentucky (3)
- Louisiana (1)
- Maryland (5)
- Minnesota (2)
- Missouri (2)
- Mississippi (1)
- North Carolina (5)
- New Jersey (4)
- Ohio (6)
- Pennsylvania (7)
- South Carolina (3)
- Tennessee (3)
- Texas (8)
- Utah (1)
- Virginia (11)
- Wisconsin (1)
- West Virginia (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
- Master
- Bachelor
- Associate
-
Non-Degree
-
- Jack Welch Undergraduate Certificate in Becoming a Leader
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- All programs require applicants to have graduated high school in 2008 or earlier
- Must be 22 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Doctorate
-
- PhD in Business Administration - Financial Management
- DBA in General Business
-
-
Master
-
- MBA in Financial Management
- MBA in Accelerated General MBA
- MBA in General Business
-
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must have either two or more years of college or active military status if you are under 24 years of age
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Doctorate
- Master
- Bachelor
